For those of you who still purchase albums, here are three worth your attention -- all artists whom we've covered in the past (and, by the sound of things, we'll continue writing about). Gay Witch Abortion, "Maverick" The Cities' greatest rock duo -- and one of its mightiest bands, period -- lives up to its thundering reputation with this long-overdue full-length debut on Learning Curve Records. Guitarist/singer Jesse Bottomley and drummer Shawn Walker come off like a stoner-rock answer to tennis' Serena and Venus Williams, smashing their weapons toward each other in competition, but ultimately cheering each other on.
The pair show a decent range within the sonic flurry, too, ranging from the hazy Blue Cheer-style fuzz of "Stain on the Floor" to mighty metallic instrumentals such as "Church Buffet" to a song that's as prog-rock as its title suggests, "Scythian Sculls." The only negative thing that can be said is the disc was too long in coming, and thus some of it sounds dated to those of us who've seen G.W.A.'s many, many gigs. But that only builds the excitement for the sophomore disc.
G.W.A. performs tonight at 7th Street Entry with Skoal Kodiak (9:30 p.m., $6).
Chastity Brown, "Sankofa" While she has been breaking in a terrific new band of late, Brown's second album is still all about her.
The biracial Tennessee transplant, 27, can muster a lot of power with just a voice and guitar, as in the Ani DiFranco-like heart-pounder "Woman Gotta Move," typical of her mellow sound but intense lyrics ("I've been suffering for my race, suffering for my skin/ Is it not enough to suffer the woman that I am?"). But the best tracks are actually the lightest and loveliest, especially the wish-you-were-here gem "Gracy" and the "Visions of Johanna"-like epic "Pulling Myself Together." Ultimately, "Sankofa" is a bit too much -- too many seven-minute songs that sound too alike in tempo and mood. A good band really could make all the difference.
Brown's CD party is tonight at the 331 Club with Jelloslave (10 p.m., free).
Brother Ali, "The Truth Is Here" EP Here's one truth that we hope Brother Ali never finds out: EPs usually just feature a handful of tracks, most of which are throwaway outtakes or live tracks. As he did on his 2004 "Champion" EP, the Rhymesayers rapper offers a generous amount of new and excellent material on his latest between-albums collection. The offerings include seven new tracks and two grade-A B-sides. Oh, and it comes with a DVD featuring his tour-ending First Ave concert, plus videos and interviews.
Highlights on the (so-called) EP include the gritty soul-searcher "Philistine David," which was used in the Jonathan Demme-directed documentary "Jimmy Carter Man From Plains." Both the coming-home opener "Real as Can Be" and the final track "Begin Here" thrive off a slow, vintage soul groove that sounds like Ali and producer Ant wanted to capture the breath-catching experience of coming off a year of touring. The funk picks up in between with the dizzying "Palm the Joker" and the cocky freestyle romp "The Believers." The latter track stands up as Ali's and Slug's best performance together to date.
